Location
winchester, TN
Camp Riva-Lake is situated in a quiet cove on Tims Ford Lake in Winchester, Tennessee. Surrounded by an abundance of natural resources, Riva-Lake is within minutes of some of the region's most beautiful sites for outdoor adventure, including the Elk River and Foster Falls.
We are ideally located 90 miles southeast of Nashville, and 180 miles northwest of Atlanta, conveniently located for campers throughout the country.
a summer tradition
since 1922
In 1922, Camp Riva-Lake was founded by Mrs. William Rutland on the banks of the beautiful Elk River in Middle Tennessee.
Affectionately known as "Dear," Mrs. Rutland oversaw Riva-Lake for many years, until her death in 1952. Dear's long-time assistant, Sis Byrd, immediately took over as director.
Riva-Lake has always had a reputation as a first-class summer camp and was well known throughout the South for its outstanding riding program.
Through the years, Riva-Lake operated under the loving guidance of Nona Rutland, Kit Pillow, Milbrey Black, Lawrie Canale Peyton, Caroline Jones Silva, Nonnie Thompson Preuss, and Claudia Haney, who came to Riva-Lake as campers and counselors, and stayed to pass on the Riva-Lake experience to generations of campers. This tradition carries on today, with Camp Director Erica Hilmas-Tucker, who was a camper starting with camp’s reopening in 2005, a counselor after, and has served as assistant director and co-director for several years.
WE'RE ACA ACCREDITED!
ACA accreditation means that Camp Riva-Lake submitted to a thorough (up to 266 standards) review of its operation by the American Camp Association (ACA) — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camp Riva-Lake and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.
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ACA helps all accredited camps provide:
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Healthy, developmentally appropriate activities and learning experiences
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Discovery through experiential education
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Caring, competent role models
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Service to the community and the environment
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Opportunities for leadership and personal growth
